Buckle In by Bryce

Buckle In by Bryce - November 2014 Scholarship Essay

High school is truly a journey. Whether that means it will be one of fun, friends, and fortunate outcome; one of adversity, struggle, and challenge; or one of perhaps a mixture of both, it’s going to be a guaranteed ride. If I could say one thing in advisement to those who’s bright eyes and nervous hearts are looking towards their freshman year, I would simply say “buckle in, breath, and move at your own pace, its about to get interesting”. This would not be in aim to frighten in them, but rather to insure that they know what they are stepping into.

After all, to put one’s first step into the first day of high school is akin to placing one’s foot into a largely dark, unknown, and rocky environment. If the person behind the feet tries to take it too fast, they will bump, bruise, and bumble hopelessly through their curriculum and social life. Take things slowly at first. Don’t feel the need to live up to anyone or anything’s expectations of what high school should be. One should avoid destroying oneself trying to volley for valedictorian in their first year; and no one should shirk their academic responsibilities so that they can try to live up to their parent’s claims that “these are going to be the best years of your life”. Find a calm, collected balance and perch upon it. Sooner than later those who do this will be looking down upon those who have been running and sprinting in every frantic direction, and notice that they themselves can breath while those others below gasp for air. This will allow the leaders to emerge from the crowd, so that they can now extend a hand to those who may be gripped in paroxysms of stress and anxiety, and lift them to a fresh breath of air.

To say the least, high school should in no means be something that students feel they have to rush to meet expectations. If each student takes a calm, focused, and “one day at a time” approach, they will fall into the place they are meant to be. Furthermore, these students will be ahead of those who attempt to go to fast and ultimately crumble underneath the weight of being unprepared. If the newcomers to high school simply buckle in, and ride the ride that is high school, they will find a more meaningful, and happy experience. It simply takes a well paced step, and a constant breath.